Paper roll holder and dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A wall mounted device including a hollow cylindrical shell having an open side with a facing flange contiguous thereto, a clamp arm on each opposed end of the shell cooperating with the flange to fixedly secure the device on the wall, the device including a pair of opposed end walls, each of which receives a reciprocable hub for insertion in, respectively, the opposed ends of a roll of paper, and means constantly biasing the hubs for movement towards one another.

United States Patent Inventor Henry Bolger [56] References Cited Portland Oreg- UNlTED STATES PATENTS P 2,021,417 11/1935 Hoffman Filed Apr. 17, 1969 2,095,419 12/1937 Pollard..... Patented Junel5,l97l 30 1949 b d Assignees Reuben Schanaman' 5/ Ha u Mariaschanamn 2,566,883 9/1951 Gove 2,809,790 10/1957 Kirchel 2,920,833 l/l960 Bolger 3,034,738 5/1962 Kuhn PAPER ROLL HOLDER AND DISPENSING DEVICE Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Att0meyl(immel, Crowell and Weaver ABSTRACT: A wall mounted device including a hollow cylindrical shell having an open side with a facing flange con- 5 claims 6 Drawing Flgs' tiguous thereto, a clamp arm on each opposed end of the shell U.S. Cl 242/55.53 cooperating with the flange to fixedly secure the device on the Int. Cl A47k 10/22, wall, the device including a pair of opposed end walls, each of Bh 19/00 which receives a reciprocable hub for insertion in, respective- Field of Search 242/5553, l the opposed ends of a roll of paper, and means constantly 76 I 1 I a 6 I -4a l4 80 2a a I t t 46 I I? 30 g I are I 1 I 1 1 1 /04 808 biasing the hubs for movement towards one another.

PATENTED JUN 1 5197! saw 1 or 2 2 m W M ATTHRIII'IYS PATENTEH JUN] 5 l9]! SHEET 2 OF 2 ATTORN E Y5 PAPER ROLL HOLDER AND DISPENSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the general field of rolled paper dispensing means and, more specifically, the instant invention is directed to the provision of a new and novel wall mounted device for delivering selected lengths of rolled papertowels, toilet tissue, and similar materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a dispensing device for rolls of paper toweling, toilet tissues, and the like, the device being adapted for mounting on a wall in which an opening therefor has been preformed. The holder, dispenser, ordevice includes a substantially hollow semicylindrical shell or shield having opposed end walls and an axial opening extending transversely therethrough, the shell or shield having a continuous facing flange projecting laterally therefrom at the marginal edge of the opening. In addition to offering some decorative value to the holder, means are mounted on the holder to cooperate with the flange to fixedly clamp a portion of the wall therebetween. The end walls of the holder are each provided with an opening, and through each of the openings extends a movable hub to receive and support an end of the core of the paper roll, the hubs being connected together by biasing means constantly urging the hubs for movement towards one another. The invention is further characterized in that with the holder mounted on a wall and supporting a rollof paper to be dispensed, substantially all of the components of the invention are effectively concealed with the exception of the facing flange.

The construction of the holder or device according to this invention is such that with the opening formed in the wall the device may be quickly and easily installed without the use of tools, thereby eliminating major installation costs.

The holder or device according to this invention is noncomplex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and rugged and durable in use.

For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of the device, reference is now made to the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 being partly broken away and in cross section to illustrate several component elements of the device and their relationship, one with respect to the other;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device, FIG. 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device, FIG. 4 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail transverse crosssectional view, FIG. 5 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane ofline 5-5 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one of the supporting and retaining hubs according to this invention, FIG. 6 being taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a holder and dispenser for paper towel rolls, toilet tissue rolls and like materials, the holder and dispenser 10 being constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. As is seen in the several FIGS. of the drawings, the holder and dispenser 10 includes a substantially hollow receptacle or shield I2 having an axially elongated semicylindrical backwall 14, the longitudinally extending ends of the backwall l4 continuing into a pair of Iongitudinally extending spaced parallel and confronting substantially rectangular flanges l6, 18. The opposed ends of the receptacle or shield 12 are closed by end walls 20, 22. The end walls 20, 22 are provided, respectively, with a transversely extending opening 24, 26 each of the latter having a center point substantially coincident with the axis of the semicylindrical backwall 14. The purpose and function of these openings 24, 26 will be explained in detail below.

As is seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the end walls 20, 22 are spaced inwardly from their respective adjacent end of the receptacle or shield 12 to form a pair of marginal edges 28, 30 which extend outwardly beyond the adjacent one of the end walls 20, 22. Each of the edges 28, 30 adjacent their upper ends is formed with an inwardly extending cutout 32, 34 which extends inwardly substantially to the adjacent one of the end walls 20, 22 and'forwardly to the outer ends of the flanges 16, 18. Mounted on the outer sides of the end walls 20, 22 and vertically spaced below the lower ends of the openings 24, 26 is, respectively, a guide and stop bracket 36, 38, respectively. The guide and stop brackets 36, 38 are of identical substantially U-shapcd configuration, and each includes a bight 40 from which laterally project a pair of vertically spaced and substantially parallel arms 44, 46. Each of the arms 44 is centrally apertured as at 48 to serve a function to be explained infra, while each of the arms 46 is of a solid construction.

Fixedly secured on the flange 16 is an elongated substantially rectangular plate 50 having opposed ends 52, 54 which overhang the brackets 36, 38, respectively. As is clearly seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the plate 50 is bent longitudinally along the bend line 56 to form a downwardly inclined elongated and substantially rectangular lip 58 having its other end 60 engaged against an adjacent portion of the upper end of the back wall 14. Each of the overhanging ends 52, 54 is formed .with transversely extending openings 62 which are aligned with the openings 48 immediately therebelow, and each pair of the aforesaid aligned openings rotatably receives therein the leg portion 64 of an L-shaped crankshaft 66 having an offset foot section 68, and the outer end of the latter terminates in an integrally formed hook 70. From the foregoing description, it now becomes obvious that each of the arms 46 will limit the degree of downward movement of the leg portion 64 through its associated bracket 36.

An elongated substantially helicoidal spring 72, under tension, has its opposed ends 74, 75 connected, respectively, with one of the hook members 70. It thus becomes obvious that the foot sections 68 of the crankshafts 66 are constantly biased for rotation towards one another and will resist any force exerted on the leg portion 64 to turn the foot portions 68 in directions away from one another.

Reference numeral 76 designates, in general, one of a pair of identically constructed paper roll supporting hubs utilized in the practice of this invention. Each of the hubs 76 is substantially hollow and includes a conical sidewall 78 which, at its base end, terminates in an outwardly extending substantially cylindrical continuous peripheral flange 80. The opposed or apex end of each of the hubs 76 is closed by an end wall 82 which is disposed in the plane of its frustum. As is seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower end of the end wall 82 terminates substantially in the plane of the flange 80, and that portion of the flange 80 disposed immediately adjacent the lower end of the wall 82 is cut away to provide a substantially straight edge 84. Fixedly secured to the peripheral flange 80 and extending diametrically thereacross is an elongated substantially rectangular lever 86, and the latter has one of its ends fixedly connected as at 88 (by conventional means) to one of the leg portions 64 of each of the crankshafts 66. As is clearly seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the construction and assembly of each of the hubs 76 on their respective crankshafts 66 is such that the sidewalls 78 and end walls 82 of the hubs 76 project through the immediately adjacent one ofthe openings 24, 26 in such a manner that the peripheral flange 80 of each of the hubs 76 is normally engaged against the outer side of each of the end walls 20, 22 whereby pivotal movement of the foot sections 68 towards one another is limited in this direction.

Reference numeral 90 designates, in general, a substantially U-shaped clamp member having a bight portion 92 from the opposed ends of which laterally project, at diverging angles, a pair of elongated substantially rectangular arms 94, 96. The clamp member 90 is preferably formed of a resilient spring metal and, as is shown in the drawings, the bight portion .92 thereof is extended longitudinally of the backwall l4 substantially at the apex thereof. The bight portion 92 of the clamp member 90 is fixedly connected on the backwall 14 by any conventional fastening means here bearing the reference numeral 98. As is seen in FIG. 4, the arms 94, 96 project forwardly along the outer sides of the sidewalls 20, 22 and terminate behind the plane common to the outer edges of the flanges l6, l8 and plate 50.

Reference numeral 100 generally designates an outer face or trim flange having a substantially quadrilateral configuration. The trim flange 100 is continuous and includes a pair of vertically spaced and substantially parallel top and bottom substantially rectangular members 102, 104 and a pair of integrally connected laterally spaced and substantially parallel rectangular side members 106, 108. These integrally connected members serve to define a centrally located transversely extending substantially rectangular paper dispensing opening 110. As is seen in H6. 3, the outer edges of the flange l6 and plate 50 are fixedly secured by conventional means (not shown) to the member 102 adjacent the opening 110, and the outer edge of the flange 18 is fixedly secured to the member 104, also adjacent the opening 110. In a similar manner, the opposed sidewalls 20, 22, at their outer or front ends are fixedly secured to the inner marginal edges of the members 106, 108, respectively. With this assembly having been completed, and with particular reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, it will be noted that the outer terminal ends of the arms 94, 96 extend towards but are spaced inwardly from those portions of the side members 106, 108 which project laterally beyond the outer sides ofthe end walls 20, 22.

The above described construction and assembly of the several components of this invention are arranged, connected and disposed so as to constitute a unitary paper roll holder and dispensing device which bears the reference numeral 10.

At 200 is designated a building wall of conventional thickness. Reference numeral 202 designates a substantially rectangular opening extending transversely through the wall 200, but it will be understood that this opening could have many configurations. The vertically spaced and substantially parallel top and bottom end walls 204, 206, and the laterally spaced and substantially parallel sidewalls 208, 210 define the opening 202 having such dimensions as to permit the unit 10 to be inserted therethrough with the inner side of the face or trim flange 100 bearing flush against the outer side of the wall 200. The width of the opening between its sidewalls 208, 210 is somewhat less, however, than the distance between the outer terminal ends of the arms 94, 96 whereby, as the unit 10 is inserted through the opening 202 the arms 94, 96 bear against the sidewalls 208, 210 and are compressed in directions towards one another until the outer terminal ends of these arms escape behind the inner side of the wall 200. At that time, and due to the resiliency of the material from which the clamp member 90 is formed, the arms 94, 96 spring outwardly in directions away from each other to lodge against the wall 200 at the inner side of the latter. In this position the unit 10 is firmly clamped on the wall 200 between the outer terminal ends of the arms 96, 94 and the members 106, 108, respectively.

With the unit 10 mounted on the wall 200, the unit 10 is ready to receive a roll of paper toweling, toilet tissue and the like (not shown). Paper toweling and like rolled paper material are generally wound about a hollow cylindrical core. ln this conventional assembly (not shown) the roll of paper is inserted through the openings 110, 200 and into the receptacle, shell or shield 12. As this insertion continues, the roll of paper will first engage against the lower end of the end wall 82 and will subsequently slide upwardly thereon pushing the hubs 76 in directions away from each other and outwardly of the receptacle 12 through their respective openings 24, 26. As the core of the paper roll becomes aligned with the hubs 76 the latter will pass into the open ends of the core in directions towards one another under the influence of the bias exerted by the spring 72. The paper roll is thus securely held between the hubs 7,6 with the opposed ends of the core being rotatably supported on the sidewall 78 of each of the hubs 76.

The rolled paper material may now be dispensed through the openingsll0, 200 by withdrawing the same from the core therethrough.

After all of the rolled paper or tissue has been dispensed, the remaining core is then broken or crushed to effect its removal from the hubs 76 after which a new roll of paper material may be installed in the manner described above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in this art that with respect to the above described and herein illustrated embodiment of this invention, the device of FIG. 1 could be horizontally elongated, if desired, and that the device 10 could be mounted on the wall 200 and be operable in any position turned through an arc of 360.

The above described and herein illustrated holder and dispenser device 10 is now defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A receptacle for holding and dispensing a roll of paper tissue wound on a central hollow cylindrical core having opposed open ends, said receptacle being mounted on a support wall and extending through an opening formed therein, said receptacle comprising:

a substantially semicylindrical backwall having a pair of axially extending remotely disposed spaced end edges defining therebetween an axially extending front access opening confronting said backwall, an end wall closing each end of said backwall, and each of said end walls having an opening extending transversely therethrough with said openings being coaxially aligned with one another;

first means mounted on said receptacle and comprising a hub for, respectively, each of said openings, each of said hubs having a frustoconical configuration and an outwardly extending continuous flange at the base end thereof, said hubs having their respective conical sidewall extending through its adjacent associated one of said openings and into said receptacle, said hubs each having an end wall disposed in the plane of its frustum with the lower end thereof being adjacent to and facing said access opening;

said hubs being movable in one direction away from one another upon the engagement of a roll of paper tissue against said end walls;

said hubs being movable in a second direction towards one another to be received, respectively, in one of said open ends of said core and to thereby rotatably support said roll of paper tissue thereon;

second means comprising a resilient element under tension connecting together said hubs to constantly bias said hubs for movement in said second direction;

third means cooperating with said support wall and receptacle to support said receptacle on said wall;

fourth means on said receptacle pivotally mounting said hubs for movement in their said first and second directions;

said fourth means including a shaft for each of said hubs,

means journaling each of said shafts for rotation exteriorly of said receptacle, means fixedly connecting each of said hubs on one of said shafts, respectively, for pivotal movement around the longitudinal axis thereof;

each of said hubs includes an outwardly extending substantially continuous peripheral flange; and

said connecting means includes a lever having one end fixedly connected on said flange of each hub, respectively, and the other end of said lever fixedly connected, respectively, to one of said shafts.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said shafts includes a laterally extending offset section terminating at its respective outer end in a hook; and

said resilient element extends between and is connected on each of said hooks.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 and a substantially continuous open trim flange fixedly connected to said longitudinally extending edges of said backwall and to the adjacent edges of said sidewalls, said flange having an opening therethrough in register with said access opening;

said receptacle being adapted to be passed through said opening formed in said support wall with said trim flange engaging against one side of said support wall; and

means on said receptacle cooperating with said flange to fixedly clamp adjacent portions of said support wall therebetween.

4. A device as defined in claim3 wherein said clamping means comprises a substantially U-shaped element formed of resilient material having a bight portion fixedly secured to said backwall, said bight portion having a flexible arm projecting laterally from each end thereof and in the direction of said trim flange to clamp said support wall therebetween.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said arms is flexed in the direction of said receptacle as said receptacle is passed through said opening formed in said wall, and each of said arms flexes in a direction away from said receptacle upon escape behind said wall to cooperate with said trim flange to effect said clamping action. 

1. A receptacle for holding and dispensing a roll of paper tissue wound on a central hollow cylindrical core having opposed open ends, said receptacle being mounted on a support wall and extending through an opening formed therein, said receptacle comprising: a substantially semicylindrical backwall having a pair of axially extending remotely disposed spaced end edges defining therebetween an axially extending front access opening confronting said backwall, an end wall closing each end of said backwall, and each of said end walls having an opening extending transversely therethrough with said openings being coaxially aligned with one another; first means mounted on said receptacle and comprising a hub for, respectively, each of said openings, each of said hubs having a frustoconical configuration and an outwardly extending continuous flange at the base enD thereof, said hubs having their respective conical sidewall extending through its adjacent associated one of said openings and into said receptacle, said hubs each having an end wall disposed in the plane of its frustum with the lower end thereof being adjacent to and facing said access opening; said hubs being movable in one direction away from one another upon the engagement of a roll of paper tissue against said end walls; said hubs being movable in a second direction towards one another to be received, respectively, in one of said open ends of said core and to thereby rotatably support said roll of paper tissue thereon; second means comprising a resilient element under tension connecting together said hubs to constantly bias said hubs for movement in said second direction; third means cooperating with said support wall and receptacle to support said receptacle on said wall; fourth means on said receptacle pivotally mounting said hubs for movement in their said first and second directions; said fourth means including a shaft for each of said hubs, means journaling each of said shafts for rotation exteriorly of said receptacle, means fixedly connecting each of said hubs on one of said shafts, respectively, for pivotal movement around the longitudinal axis thereof; each of said hubs includes an outwardly extending substantially continuous peripheral flange; and said connecting means includes a lever having one end fixedly connected on said flange of each hub, respectively, and the other end of said lever fixedly connected, respectively, to one of said shafts.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said shafts includes a laterally extending offset section terminating at its respective outer end in a hook; and said resilient element extends between and is connected on each of said hooks.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 and a substantially continuous open trim flange fixedly connected to said longitudinally extending edges of said backwall and to the adjacent edges of said sidewalls, said flange having an opening therethrough in register with said access opening; said receptacle being adapted to be passed through said opening formed in said support wall with said trim flange engaging against one side of said support wall; and means on said receptacle cooperating with said flange to fixedly clamp adjacent portions of said support wall therebetween.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said clamping means comprises a substantially U-shaped element formed of resilient material having a bight portion fixedly secured to said backwall, said bight portion having a flexible arm projecting laterally from each end thereof and in the direction of said trim flange to clamp said support wall therebetween.
 5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said arms is flexed in the direction of said receptacle as said receptacle is passed through said opening formed in said wall, and each of said arms flexes in a direction away from said receptacle upon escape behind said wall to cooperate with said trim flange to effect said clamping action. 